The Mornington Peninsula has been stripped of its chance to become home to a world-class marine and climate research facility.
The release of the Victorian Government’s master plan for the future of Pt Nepean has confirmed that the proposed National Centre for Coasts and Climate has been scrapped.
Premier Brumby has ripped off the $7 million allocated to Pt Nepean by the former Coalition Government for the establishment of the marine and climate research facility.
A further $2 million in Federal funding to cover the ongoing rental costs of the facility has also been withdrawn.
Instead of becoming home to a world-class marine and climate research facility, Pt Nepean will now be turned over to a commercial hotel operator.
When this hotel fails, as is likely given the demise of nearby Delgany House, what will happen to the priceless heritage buildings at Pt Nepean?
This plan is a complete betrayal of everything the Victorian Government said it would do at Pt Nepean.
The Victorian Government promised to listen to the community. It promised to abide by the wishes of residents who overwhelmingly wanted Pt Nepean to be dedicated to a non-commercial, public use.
I urge all Mornington Peninsula residents to register their strong disapproval of the master plan, which is now open for public comment.
We need to send a strong message to Premier Brumby that the community will not accept the commercial exploitation of one of our most important heritage sites.